CLEVELAND – Texas A&M University-Commerce director of athletics Tim McMurray has been named Under Armour Athletics Director of the Year, as announced by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) on Tuesday.
 
The ADOY Award highlights the efforts of athletics directors at all levels for their commitment and positive contributions to student-athletes, campuses and their surrounding communities.
 
Since his appointment as director of athletics at A&M-Commerce in 2015, Tim McMurray has maintained focus on a paradigm that has become Lion Athletics' mission – providing a "Best in Class" experience for all Lion student-athletes and constituents. 

In addition to being an adjunct professor in Sports Management at A&M-Commerce (teaching the capstone course in Sports Governance and Leadership), McMurray oversees the day-to-day operations of a robust Division II intercollegiate athletics program which is enjoying record levels of academic, athletic, and student success.    

"When I became President 18 months ago, I was amazed at what a strong Athletics Department we have, primarily due to the strong leadership of Tim McMurray. Tim reports directly to me, and I can say unequivocally that he is one of the best Athletics Directors that I have ever known," said A&M-Commerce President Dr. Mark Rudin. "I believe we have one of the strongest programs in Division II that focuses on a holistic approach for the student-athlete."
 
Since 2015, 42 Lion teams have qualified for NCAA postseason, including a school record 11 in 2018-19. The Lions also tied their highest-ever NACDA Learfield Directors' Cup finish (22^nd) for the second consecutive year – the Lions' highest-ever finish by 42 places.
  
Three new programs unique to A&M-Commerce continue to thrive under the Student-Athlete Success unit, as the Lion Leadership Academy, the student-led Responsible Lions well-being group, and the FASTER program (student-athlete nutrition) continue to advance the comprehensive student-athlete experience in an impactful way - without a scoreboard.
 
"There are many fabulous leaders in this industry and I personally believe that Tim McMurray is one of the best," said A&M-Commerce deputy director of athletics for student-athlete success Judy Sackfield, who nominated McMurray for the award. "As our mission states, he wants to provide a "Best In Class experience for ALL".  The department, campus, and community believe in the Best In Class mindset.  This doesn't happen without Tim McMurray as the head of the department."
 
Key revenue initiatives recorded all-time bests in 2018-19, as the department hit projections in all key external areas for the first time in institution history (Lion Champions Fund donations, Lion Sports Properties, Lion Sales and Service, and Licensing). Private giving increased more than 250%, and the three largest corporate gifts and largest single private capital gift were made.
 
"Tim's accomplishments are not defined primarily by student-athlete records," noted Jim Phillips, the Combe Family Vice President for Athletics & Recreation at Northwestern University. "He has changed the culture of his department with his ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. He has volunteered to serve on countless committees and boards and finds joy in teaching as an adjunct professor on campus. Indeed, Tim has never, nor will ever, cease to strive for greatness in all aspects of his life. His genuine care for others is unmatchable."

In addition to unprecedented student-athlete success, McMurray has retained executive leaders in the areas of marketing/communications, compliance, internal operations, financial operations, athletics development, and alumni engagement.   
 
"Tim is one of the most dedicated and committed individuals when it comes to student-athlete success and well-being," said Alex Shillow, A&M-Commerce football student-athlete and Division II national Student-Athlete Advisory Committee chair. "He lives his mission everyday of fulfilling his promise to his student-athletes to provide a Best In Class experience. Tim takes pride and spends genuine time building relationships with student-athletes, providing opportunities, sharing his knowledge, and endlessly working to solve any issues we have. He takes the time to learn all of the student-athletes' names, and invites each sports team to his house for dinner with him and his family every year."
 
"I think the greatest display of the esteem in which our Athletics Director is held is the number of student-athletes who graduate from A&M-Commerce that find their way back to the university to serve as administrators and coaches in the athletics department," said Dr. Samantha Roberts, assistant professor of sport and recreation management at A&M-Commerce and 2019 winner of the NCAA's Dr. Dave Pariser Faculty Mentor Award. "If that doesn't say a Best In Class Athletic Director, and therefore an Under Armour Athletic Director of the Year, I don't know what does!"
 
McMurray is one of 28 winners in seven divisions (NCAA FBS, FCS, Division I-AAA, II, III, NAIA/Other Four-Year Institutions and Junior College/Community Colleges). Winners will be recognized on Tuesday, June 9, prior to the Featured Session at 4 p.m. during NACDA's 55th Annual Convention at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas.
 
"The future of our industry continues to look bright with athletics leaders like these at the helm of departments across the country," said Bob Vecchione, NACDA Chief Executive Officer. "Out of our 28 ADOY winners, 22 are receiving this honor for the first time in their careers. It is exciting and inspiring to see the new faces coming up through the ranks and earning well-deserved recognition for their efforts on their campuses."
 
Winners of the 2019-20 Under Armour AD of the Year Awards are:

Winner	Institution
Football Bowl Subdivision
Bubba Cunningham	University of North Carolina
Doug Gillin	Appalachian State University
Rick Hart	Southern Methodist University
Mack Rhoades	Baylor University
Football Championship Subdivision
Mark Jackson	Villanova University
Robert Scalise	Harvard University
Neil Sullivan	University of Dayton
Lynn Thompson	Bethune-Cookman University
Division I-AAA
Amanda Braun	University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Philip Hutcheson	Lipscomb University
Bill Scholl	Marquette University
Steve Watson	Loyola University Chicago
Division II
Jim Johnson	Pittsburg State University
Laura Liesman	Georgian Court University
Tim McMurray	Texas A&M University-Commerce
Lindsay Reeves	University of North Georgia
Division III
Dana Harmon	Worcester Polytechnic Institute
James Miller	North Central College
Craig Poisson	Springfield College
Laurie Turner	Pacific Lutheran University
NAIA
Brett Simpson	Loyola University New Orleans
Thomas Smith	Missouri Baptist University
Debbie Warren	Indiana Tech
Drew Watson	Southeastern University
Junior/Community College
Joe Jennum	Mt. San Antonio College
Jake Ripple	Dodge City Community College
Doug Spiwak	Harper College
Troy Tucker	Northampton Community College